25 August 2010

Atlanta Black Gay Pride Promoter Killed in Apparent Carjacking

Only one week before Atlanta's popular Black Gay Pride celebration, one of its organizers was killed in an apparent carjacking. Fifty-year-old Durand Robinson, the co-owner of Traxx, was discovered lying in the middle of a street in southwest Atlanta overnight, reports WSB. One of Robinson's friends has confirmed to Rod 2.0 police are searching for the missing vehicle, have a several more leads and believe this was a carjacking.

Atlanta police said Robinson had gotten into an argument with someone just before shots rang out. Family and friends said Robinson may have been the victim of an attempted carjacking, however Atlanta police said investigators have not determined a motive or named a suspect in the shooting. ... Investigators told Channel 2 that Robinson had been shot in the chest. He was pronounced He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Georgia Voice
offers more details, including the police report in which
neighbors report hearing "a commotion followed by a single
gunshot and the sound of a vehicle speeding off."

Business partner Philip Boone told WSB, "This was
devastating for our community and the Traxx family. He was an angel. We will miss him." Boone said this year's Black Gay Pride weekend will be
organized in Robinson's memory.

There are several virtual tributes to the slain promoter. Atlanta-based WhatsTheT.com has collected photos and testimonials. And Durand Robinson's Facebook page has become a cyber-memorial. More as the story develops ...

WOW. Mr. Durand was part of and created the largest Black Pride in the world and this feature has not received tons of comments and concern. What is really going on? We should be marching and holding vigils in his honor - really it is in our own honor. This man put Black Gay Pride on the map.